Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Block heater to warm diesel

Fosters69 · Dec 15, 2016

Hi all,

It is supposed to be frigid the next couple days and they are threatening 3-6 inches of snow so I may need the tractor and blower to start. I'm going to pack an old pillow around the fuel filter and I have a tarp over it to hopefully prevent the wind chill, but can I/should I leave the block heater plugged in and on for 2-3 days Straight? Will it hurt anything or even help to keep the fuel from Gelling?

Once again thank you all,
Dan

Shaneard · Dec 15, 2016

I sometimes leave my truck (Duramax diesel) plugged in for days, no problems yet.

oldnslo · Dec 15, 2016

Leaving the heater plugged in won't hurt anything. If you keep the engine compartment closed off it would help keep fuel from gelling.

JerryK · Dec 15, 2016

If your diesel is summer diesel, or even winter diesel, you should add some fuel additive like black label Power Service. This should keep it from jelling. Should be mixed with the diesel good before pouring into your tank. You can plug the heater in 24/7, but most folks just plug it in for a couple hours before you are going to start it. Best if you can park it inside somewhere. I keep my tractors in a barn that seldom gets below freezing inside since I heat up the center all day with a wood heater. The cement floor holds the heat pretty good thru the night. Another important thing to do is keep the tank full of good, clean diesel. Water in fuel anytime is a pain, but even worse in the winter.

Gary Fowler · Dec 15, 2016

I used to plug in the block heaters on my gas fired vehicles every night when I parked them and usually remembered to unplug them the next morning. Lots of folks would forget to unplug prior to driving off and you would see them dragging the cord around in town. Never had a problem with leaving them plugged in other than burning the extra electricity.

leonz · Dec 15, 2016

Hey Gary,

How did you know I did that??????????????

If he has a salamander he can also tarp the mule and heat it up that way too but keeping the block heater plugged in around the clock will not hurt anything other than making the electric meter run a little faster.

fidowanttobe · Dec 15, 2016

I know of several ranchers that feed at remote lots that are plugged in 24/7. Less than $2 a day for a 1000 watt heater.

George2615 · Dec 15, 2016

Leaving the block heater plugged in won't hurt anything but if your fuel filter is in the back of the tractor away from the engine the heater won't be able to help keep fuel from gelling. Proper grade fuel and or treatment of fuel will help prevent gelling.

ovrszd · Dec 15, 2016

Fosters69 said:
Hi all,

It is supposed to be frigid the next couple days and they are threatening 3-6 inches of snow so I may need the tractor and blower to start. I'm going to pack an old pillow around the fuel filter and I have a tarp over it to hopefully prevent the wind chill, but can I/should I leave the block heater plugged in and on for 2-3 days Straight? Will it hurt anything or even help to keep the fuel from Gelling?

Once again thank you all,
Dan

The pillow around the fuel filter will do no good unless you have a heat source warming the filter.

A tarp will do no good for wind chill. It's a machine, it doesn't feel wind chill. Only us stupid humans use that term.

Plugging in for multiple days might have a positive impact on gelling if the engine warmth can be transferred to the fuel tank. You should always treat your fuel in temps below 20F degrees.

If your block heater is a good one, thermostatically controlled, so it doesn't cook itself, it will be fine. Most block heater systems reach their maximum effectiveness after a couple hours, then are just maintaining that temp. Maybe plug it in a couple hours before you need it.

I'll add one caveat for using a tarp or some type of cover. If you are providing a heat source, such as your block heater, it's effective. If you are not providing a heat source, it's non-effective.